A quartet of Victorian clubs are understood to be interested in out-of-contract Giants star Tim Taranto.
Taranto is yet to recommit to GWS after putting discussions on hold, only prompting further interest from sides from his home state.
The 24-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the Giants' most reliable onballers within the club's stacked midfield ensemble, having notched up 109 AFL matches since making his debut in 2017.
Taranto joined the Giants as the second overall selection in the 2016 National Draft, and has undoubtedly warranted the early selection with his contested ball-winning ability and prowess.
With his current deal set to expire, Victorian clubs are looking to pry the Mordialloc Braeside product out of Sydney's west.
According toย 3AW'sย Sam McClure, Richmond, Geelong, Essendon and Collingwood are all showing some interest in the bullish onballer's services.
โItโs always around this time of year where a player emerges as someone that could have a huge domino effect on the rest of the trade period,โ McClure said on Sportsday.
โTim Taranto is going to be it this year.
โHeโs been offered an extension, but itโs on less money that heโs currently on.
โHeโs only 24, so heโs not a free agent.
โThe clubs that are in for him are the big clubs โ weโre talking Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong. Maybe even St Kilda, although I think they would be further down the line. They were interested in him a couple of years ago.
โTim Taranto, I think, will end up being the one that is squeezed out and there are going to be plenty of suitors as Iโve just told you.โ
McClure also noted that the Tigers are seen as the likely favourites for Taranto's services should he opt to leave the orange and charcoal at season's end.
If that were to be the case, Taranto would become the latest GWS star to depart the AFL's youngest club in favour of a return home, following the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams, Dylan Shiel and Zac Williams.
The Giants' midfield may take another hit in 2022, with youngster Tanner Bruhn also having been linked to a return to Victoria this year.
Richmond would see Taranto as a fitting successor to veteran Trent Cotchin in their midfield, while Geelong have already been reported to be keen on established midfielders for this coming off-season.
Taranto, a Giants best and fairest winner, will likely line up for GWS this weekend when they travel to South Australia to face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night at 7:30pm (AEST).
